Police are appealing for witnesses after man tried to trick his way into the home of a 93-year-old woman in Bampton.

At 7pm, on Thursday, a man called at the woman's home in Bowling Green Close, and said there had been an emergency next door and that someone had been taken to the hospital.

The man then asked if he could enter the property to make sure everyone inside was all right.

The woman refused to let the man in and went back to the living room of the property.

Later, she heard a noise coming from the back of the house, and when she went to investigate she found the back door had been forced open and the man was in the hallway.

Once disturbed, the man ran out of the property into the rear garden. Nothing was stolen.

Police said the man was described as white and about 5ft 5in tall. He was wearing dark-coloured clothing and a dark hat.

Det Sgt Dick White, from the Witney priority crime team, said: “I would like to hear from anyone who lives in the area who may have seen this man, or anyone else that he may have targeted.

“The woman in this case did exactly the right thing. She didn’t recognise the man, challenged what he wanted and sent him away when he wasn’t able to answer her questions satisfactorily.

“Never let someone into you home if you do not know who they are, and if at any time you feel threatened or intimidate shut the door and call the police.”

Anyone with information should contact Det Sgt White via the 24-hour Thames Valley Police Enquiry Line on 0845 8 505 505. Alternatively, you can contact the Crimestoppers charity anonymously on 0800 555 111.